Snow Days....

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Jan 12, 2011

I personally think that "nag" comment was out of line and do not see where any "nagging"

occurred.

I do see posters reminding others that when you accept a job dealing with health, you are required to try and plan ahead. But then I come from a long line of Fire personnel, police officers, and military. Often paid less than us, and required to plan ahead and work in all kinds of conditions

As a native Floridian transplanted to the north, when people complain of the weathermen being often wrong. The people caught in hurricanes Andrew, Katrina and the year of Charlie/Jeanne/Frances also complained about the many times that the weather report was wrong.

perfectbluebuildings, BSN, RN · Jan 12, 2011

I can see both sides of this issue. I am also in a southern state hard hit by this recent storm, and also not nearly as well equipped as more northern states to deal with this kind of weather (though our dept of transportation people have been working very hard!) It is as much as possible our responsibility to get there as scheduled if at all possible, and to plan ahead for weather emergencies. I have never called in because of weather. Always been able to find a way to get there. (Have learned a LOT about winter driving this year!!) But sometimes, that is not possible for some people in certain situations, and I think there should be some leeway.

I guess I just want to revisit a question one poster asked a few pages ago that I haven't seen other opinions on. What should be the cut-off? I.E. how early should you go into work to avoid a snowstorm? For example, if a snowstorm is predicted to come on, say, a Monday night and your next scheduled workday is Wednesday or Thursday morning, but the snow still isn't cleared by then, should you have gone in before the storm on Monday? I'm really wondering how more northern cities & states deal with this issue every winter- do you have some kind of system? That may seem like a stupid question, but it's a genuine one. We usually have maybe one big storm a year, that doesn't amount to much and is gone by that afternoon or the next, so I'm not used to this kind of thing. Thanks-

April, RN, BSN, RN · Jan 12, 2011

I'm really wondering how more northern cities & states deal with this issue every winter- do you have some kind of system?

I live in New England. We are better equipped with plows, salt, and sand whenever snow or ice is predicted. Maybe I'm lucky, but where I work, everyone knows that it's not safe or even possible for some people to get to work. Even the trains have to shut down sometimes. We do plan in advance when we know a big storm is coming. Nearby hotels offer discounted rates to hospital employees. Those who are willing stay late, come in early, or offer to come in on their day off if they live nearby. Most of us know what it's like to be the one who can't make it in so when we're able, we do what we can to help out.

If the storm is expected to hit overnight, it might be reasonable for the dayshift to think about sleeping closer to work the night before, but it's certainly not expected. No one would ever expect someone to come in days before their scheduled shift if snow is predicted.

ETA: A friend who works in a different facility just told me she was mandated to stay overnight for a double after working 3-11. Different ways of dealing with weather emergencies, some more favorable than others!

MJB2010 · Jan 12, 2011

I will never forget the snowstorm where I bravely struck out into the storm to go to work. Quickly got stranded on a snow mound because my sedan's tires weren't tall enough to carry me over the snow depth. AAA rescued me and took me home, where I called and asked for my hospital's snow team to come and retrieve me and take me to work.
They couldn't. I later heard that they spun out and overturned on the interstate on their way to pick me up.
I got written up.

Insanity. :uhoh3:

Old.Timer · Jan 12, 2011

To clearly send a message to staff that they are as invested in their personal safety and well being, as that of their patients, a facility should plan and provide some combination of the following during a weather crisis:

- Create dedicated snow /hurricane clinical staff teams

- On-call and overtime pay as appropriate

- Create transportation teams that are as focused on taking staff back home as they are in picking staff up

- Hospitality teams to provide meals/snacks/goodies to staff

- Provide adequate areas for sleep and showering

- On-site child care led by qualified individuals

- Guaranteed time off after the storm for staff that worked

- Staff that was unable to get to work during the storm provides the coverage after the storm for the staff that did work so they are able to rest and recover and if so inclined, make a few adult snow slushies

- Offer special perks that are especially "valuable" at your facility e.g. premier parking for X amount of time for anyone that works extra if parking is especially horrendous where you are

I know many will say that all of that is a pie in the sky pipe dream. However, you'll never know unless you at least attempt to be part of the solution. I would offer recommendations and suggestions or volunteer to lead or participate in a planning committee to address the current shortfalls.

If you determine that your facility really does not care to plan ahead to meet the needs of staff and patients, then you just file that away as useful info to have when evaluating your total employment package.

canesdukegirl, BSN, RN · Jan 12, 2011

My co-workers and I were talking about this today. We found out that one of the nearby hospitals was offering a 10% hourly pay increase to those who made it in during the storm, as well as provided sleeping arrangements, childcare, meal tickets and home-early options. That sounds like a well thought out plan to me!

canesdukegirl, BSN, RN · Jan 12, 2011

I will never forget the snowstorm where I bravely struck out into the storm to go to work. Quickly got stranded on a snow mound because my sedan's tires weren't tall enough to carry me over the snow depth. AAA rescued me and took me home, where I called and asked for my hospital's snow team to come and retrieve me and take me to work.
They couldn't. I later heard that they spun out and overturned on the interstate on their way to pick me up.
I got written up.

Roser, I would have been so MAD!!! Did the NM offer to come get you after the AAA truck spun out and overturned?

OCNRN63, RN · Jan 12, 2011

I'm sorry, but I think it is unreasonable to expect an employee to pay for a hotel room, even if it's at a discounted rate. If the hospital wants employees to make the effort to come in during inclement weather, they should pony up for the hotel rooms.

I'll never forget the accommodations I got at one facility where I worked during a major snow event: a pillow, a blanket and a conference room which was shared by several of us nurses. Yes, we slept on the floor. Yes, it was cold. Yes, it was uncomfortable. No, they did not give us any food.

Tiffany, RN, BSN · Jan 13, 2011

Oh boy, its getting heated in here! :uhoh3: My :twocents:

If you can't make it, you can't make it. What else can you do? I look at it like this: I have more to live for than my job so if that means I have to wait until daylight when visibility is better to come to work or even miss work because of no transportation, so be it. Or better yet, they can send someone to come get me but I'm not risking my life. Yes there are some who will come and sleep over and then there are some who are not willing to do that and that's their prerogative. Do you know what my hospital offered those who were willing to stay? A cot and old pt rooms with no heat, hot water, or tv. Yes, I understand its not going to be the Ritz but if that's all we're worth to them, I'll take my chances on having to be a couple minutes or hours late or even not being able to make it. A nurse on the floor arrived to work after being picked up by security at 4pm for her 7a-7p shift! No surprises that they wanted her to spend the night. :no: was her response and rightfully so. I just don't agree that all of the responsibility should be on the employees. At some point the hospital needs to step up and ensure that the employees who are afraid or unable to drive get there safely and promptly and have somewhere decent to stay if they expect that.

emilee1978 · Jan 13, 2011

I can sympathize with the Southerners who aren't equipped to deal with the snow, the problem is we get a fair amount of call-off's in the Northern states as well, what's their excuse?

Ruby Vee, BSN · Jan 13, 2011

i can see both sides of this issue. i am also in a southern state hard hit by this recent storm, and also not nearly as well equipped as more northern states to deal with this kind of weather (though our dept of transportation people have been working very hard!) it is as much as possible our responsibility to get there as scheduled if at all possible, and to plan ahead for weather emergencies. i have never called in because of weather. always been able to find a way to get there. (have learned a lot about winter driving this year!!) but sometimes, that is not possible for some people in certain situations, and i think there should be some leeway.
i guess i just want to revisit a question one poster asked a few pages ago that i haven't seen other opinions on. what should be the cut-off? i.e. how early should you go into work to avoid a snowstorm? for example, if a snowstorm is predicted to come on, say, a monday night and your next scheduled workday is wednesday or thursday morning, but the snow still isn't cleared by then, should you have gone in before the storm on monday? i'm really wondering how more northern cities & states deal with this issue every winter- do you have some kind of system? that may seem like a stupid question, but it's a genuine one. we usually have maybe one big storm a year, that doesn't amount to much and is gone by that afternoon or the next, so i'm not used to this kind of thing. thanks-

it depends upon the northern state. when i lived in wisconsin, the snowplows were out as soon as the first snow flurries started, and they kept going until all the major roads were clear. if you couldn't get your car out, you walked, snowmobiled or cross country skied to the nearest plowed road and the hospital would have someone pick you up. (they were much better about picking you up before your shift than they were about taking you home afterward!) when i lived in boston there was so much snow one year that the national guard came and picked us up with snow cats. we stayed at the hospital for the duration. i've skied to work more than once . . . those who didn't make it in were regarded as shirkers and sissies.

i'd go in to work the night before if there was a snowstorm predicted overnight, but i wouldn't go in more than 24 hours early!

linearthinker, DNP, RN · Jan 13, 2011

I'm sorry, but I think it is unreasonable to expect an employee to pay for a hotel room, even if it's at a discounted rate. If the hospital wants employees to make the effort to come in during inclement weather, they should pony up for the hotel rooms.
I'll never forget the accommodations I got at one facility where I worked during a major snow event: a pillow, a blanket and a conference room which was shared by several of us nurses. Yes, we slept on the floor. Yes, it was cold. Yes, it was uncomfortable. No, they did not give us any food.

I don't think it is unreasonable to expect employees to do whatever is necessary in extreme conditions. Besides, we had SUCH a good time, and I'd much prefer a hotel room to a stretcher or the floor! The hotel was nice, and the rate was less than $100. Not a big deal IMO. In any event, if i didn't think i could meet my employers expectations, or i found them objectionable, I guess I'd look for work elsewhere. Pretty simple.